Port Authority Prepared to Handle Record Airport Travelers

Agency projects record 5.9 million passengers will use its airports during the holiday period

On Dec 14, 2018

Nearly 20 million traveIers – including a record number of passengers using the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey’s four major airports – are projected to use the Port Authority’s facilities during the upcoming 16-day Christmas/New Year’s holiday season.  To accommodate the projected heavy travel volume, the agency has put measures in place to accommodate the anticipated record travel volume.

The Port Authority will provide a full complement of staff – customer service representatives at its major airports and police officers at all facilities and toll collectors at its tunnels and bridges – to make the holiday trip as smooth as possible.

Airports

During the holiday period – from Dec. 17, through Jan. 1 – a record 5.9 million passengers will travel through John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia and Stewart International airports.  The total is approximately 219,700 more passengers than traveled during the same period in 2017, the previous record for the holiday period.  Due to the record volume of air travel, the agency is encouraging travelers to allow extra time to get to the airports and check with carriers for flight status prior to arriving.  The agency also encourages the use of mass transit to get to the airports, including AirTrain JFK and AirTrain Newark, given limited parking availability.

About 2.6 million travelers are forecast to use John F. Kennedy International Airport, approximately 2 million will travel through Newark Liberty International Airport, approximately 1.2 million will fly out of LaGuardia Airport and approximately 30,500 passengers will use New York Stewart International Airport.

In addition to a full complement of customer service representatives, the Port Authority will assist air travelers at its Airport Welcome Centers, which are located on the arrivals level of every terminal and provide information about ground transportation, hotels and other useful travel tips.

At LaGuardia Airport, the Port Authority and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority will offer free LaGuardia Link Q70 buses from 12:01 a.m. Monday, December 17, through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, January 1. The service is designed to encourage travelers to use mass transit to and from the airport during the holiday period.

LaGuardia Airport has parking available convenient to all terminals including the new Terminal B garage located outside Terminal B.

Parking at Newark Liberty International Airport is expected to be limited during the holiday period.

The Port Authority is providing parking discounts at two parking facilities at JFK Airport during the holiday period – the Red Garage and the Orange Garage.  At the Orange Garage, travelers can receive $10 off the regular full day rate of $35 which is in effect through Dec. 20.  At the Red Garage, travelers can receive $15 off the regular full day rate of $35, which is in effect through Jan. 5.

Tunnels, Bridges and Terminals

Approximately 10.3 million vehicles are forecast to use Port Authority bridges and tunnels during the Christmas/New Year’s holiday period.  The agency will cancel all non-emergency construction for the George Washington Bridge, the Holland and Lincoln tunnels and the Staten Island crossings beginning at 3 p.m. Dec. 21, through 5 a.m. Jan. 2.

At the Port Authority Bus Terminal, the agency expects passenger traffic to be heavier than usual, and customers are urged to allow extra travel time and to purchase bus tickets in advance, and download the MyTerminal app for schedules, alerts and more.

PATH

Approximately 3 million passengers are forecast to use the PATH rail system during the holiday period.  On Christmas Eve, PATH will operate on a regular weekday schedule.  On Christmas Day, PATH will operate on a Saturday schedule.  On New Year’s Eve, PATH will operate on a regular weekday schedule, but additional service will be provided on the Newark to World Trade Center and Journal Square to 33rd Street via Hoboken line during the late evening and overnight hours to accommodate New Year’s revelers.  On New Year’s Day, PATH will operate on a Sunday schedule.

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